Where is University of the Cumberlands located?
University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, in the southeastern United States. Williamsburg is approximately 100 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky and 75 miles north of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Do I have to take the TOEFL and the ACT or SAT for admission?
It is preferred that you take either the TOEFL or IELTS test along with either the ACT or SAT if English is not your first language. If English is your first language or you have been educated for more than four years in English, the TOEFL or IELTS test is not required. For additional information, see admission requirements.

Does University of the Cumberlands have international student housing?
All international students are required to live on campus; however, University of the Cumberlands does not have one residence hall where all international students are assigned. We believe that it’s best for domestic and international students to be fully integrated into every aspect of campus life. Often International students are initially assigned a roommate from a similar culture, to assist with the transition to living in the US. International students are encouraged to seek every opportunity to meet students from the US and other countries. Once students have the opportunity to meet other students they may request changes to housing assignments, if desired. For more information on campus housing, go to: http://www.ucumberlands.edu/students/residencelife/

What additional costs should I be prepared for as an international student?

Medical Insurance
All international students are required to have personal medical insurance that will cover
them while they are in the United States. Students will automatically be charged for the university sponsored insurance as part of their university fees. Students may
pre-enroll in the insurance program before arriving on campus.

Textbooks and Course Materials
Students are required to have the necessary textbooks and course materials for every class.
These materials are available in the university bookstore. The cost of the textbooks and
course materials will vary for each course.

Transportation
The university provides a free airport shuttle service through the Office of International Relations for the first arrival on campus. To utilize the free airport shuttle, students must complete the university Arrival Form Completed forms must be received at least 2 weeks prior to the anticipated date of arrival.

For all other travel, students should be prepared to cover their own transportation costs.
(See: What are other options for transportation, below.)

Where do most of University of the Cumberlands' international students come from?
University of the Cumberlands enrolls students from 28 different countries. Many of our students come from Asia, Africa, Australia, England, and throughout Europe.

What is the best airport for travel arrangements?
University of the Cumberlands is centrally located between the Bluegrass Airport (LEX) in Lexington, Kentucky and McGee-Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee. Both offer daily flights on most major airlines. Transportation is provided by the Office of International Relations for students arriving at either of these airports when they first arrive. Please submit the Arrival Form with your travel arrangements at least 2 weeks prior to your anticipated arrival.

Note: If you will be participating on an athletic team, be sure to communicate with your coach before making your flight arrangements. Student athletes who will participate in fall sports are often required to arrive on campus for summer practice sessions a few weeks prior to the beginning of the school semester.

What are other options for Transportation?
There are two additional options for transportation to and from campus. Greyhound Bus Line, Inc. has a terminal in London, Kentucky, (just 30 miles from campus), and travels throughout the US. If you are considering using this service, you should expect to pay additional charges for taxi service from most airports to the local bus station, as well as from the London, KY bus station to campus.

Venture Cab, Inc.is a local cab service that is endorsed by the university and offers discounted fares to university students. Up to 6 students can travel to the same location and share the cost. Many students use Venture Cab to assist with transportation to:

Can International Students have a job?
As a provision of their F-1 student visa, students are permitted to be employed in an on campus position of employment directly related to the university in which they are enrolled. In extreme financial circumstances, USCIS approves off-campus employment.

On-Campus EmploymentStudents who hold an F-1 student visa may be eligible for on-campus employment. Employment is not guaranteed and is limited to the availability of a position. Eligibility for employment must be verified by the Office of International Relations. A student with an F-1 visa is legally eligible for employment on campus when:

I-94, passport, and I-20 are valid

student carries a full course of study

student is in good academic standing

the employment will not displace a U.S. resident

The Office of International Relations has verified eligibility

Once a student’s eligibility for employment has been verified by the Office of International Relations, the student will be given an employment authorization letter. The employment authorization letter must be presented to the university’s Human Resources Office, where a student can then apply for any available employment positions.

Once a student receives an on-campus employment assignment, they will be given a letter from the Human Resources Office which must be presented to the Office of International Relations. The Office of International Relations will then prepare a Letter of Employment Authorization which can be presented to the local US Social Security Administration, along with other necessary documents, as part of the application process for a Social Security Card. See information below regarding applying for a Social Security Card.

*NOTE: Students who fail to carry a full course of study or who fail to maintain legal status with U.S. Immigration will lose all F-1 visa benefits. (Employment is a benefit.)

Off-Campus EmploymentOff-Campus Employment may only be granted by U.S. Immigration, under extreme financial circumstances, and through the appropriate application process through the Student Exchange Visitor Information Service (SEVIS). An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is only issued by U.S. Immigration. The approval takes months to receive. There is a charge by U.S. Immigration for this service. If denied, there is no appeal. The Office of International Relations will help to determine if students are eligible for off-campus employment, according to the SEVIS standards.

Once a student is authorized by USICS for off-campus employment, they must present a letter verifying proposed employment from a prospective employer which must be presented to the Office of International Relations. The Office of International Relations will then prepare a Letter of Employment Authorization which can be presented to the local US Social Security Administration, along with other necessary documents, as part of the application process for a Social Security Card. See information below regarding applying for a Social Security Card.

If you are granted a Social Security Number by going through the process for off-campus employment, you should never work off campus without current USCIS authorization. Even one day of work without authorization is a serious violation of U.S. law.

How do I get a Social Security Card?The United States Social Security Administration only processes applications for international students who have been verified as eligible for employment and have been offered a position of employment. The verification of eligibility and employment offer must be validated and submitted in writing as part of the application process. The Office of International Relations will assist all eligible students with the application process. For more information, go to: http://www.ssa.gov/ss5doc/?ID=ori&Selfchild=self&Status=res&Submit=Submit

How do I get a Driver’s License?
A non U.S. citizen must present all of his or her BCIS documents to Driver Licensing personnel, such as Visa with I-94 Departure Card, Employment Authorization Card (I-688A or I688B or I-766) or I-94 with stamped picture. University students must also present an I-20 form completed by the university in which they are enrolled, along with a letter from the University’s Registrars Office verifying full-time enrollment and good academic standing.